An Interview with Thomas Margolf aka firestARTer (SIDsyn)

by Neil Carr

Want to know all about Sidsyn and what to expect from this hardware? We did, so we set out to find out exactly what this thing can do. Sidsyn is still in development and is not yet available.

Real name: Thomas Margolf

Handle: firestARTer

Born: 1976

Nationality: German

Interview date: 22 June 2001


Neil

What is SIDsyn?

Thomas

SIDsyn is (will be) a synthesiser capable of MIDI, using the legendary SID-Chip for sound generation.

Neil

Why did you start to develop SIDsyn?

Thomas

Since I know the c64, I’m in love with its sounds, and I was repeatedly overwhelmed what wicked sounds come out of that little breadbox. Because I love low-cost sound hardware, it was about time to develop something like this.

Neil

What will it feature?

Thomas

Well, on the one hand every sound parameters can be adjusted with knobs (each parameter has its own knob!!) Knob positions can be saved. Also, there is a noise-gate to cut off these annoying sounds, or at least to lower their volume. The noise-gate can be adjusted using the parameters Attack, Decay and Threshold. All functions can be changed and adjusted with buttons, the settings are being shown on a display. Instead of the buttons, you will be able to use a c64-compatible joystick for that as well!!! Signals arriving at the Audio-In port of SIDsyn can be routed through the SID internal filters and the noise gate and thus modified.
The handling will be similar to old analogue synthesisers.

Besides all that, I have 1001 more thoughts of what I will be adding next…

Neil

What will not feature?

Thomas

You will not be able to play SID files on it, and emulators won’t be able to use SIDsyn either.

Neil

What has been the most difficult part of creating this product?

Thomas

The most difficult part was the development of the noise-gate. Despite of that, I’m still working on the software.

Neil

What are the strong parts of SIDsyn?

Thomas

The strong parts are instant calls to parameter adjustments, the noise gate and many more!

Neil

What makes SIDsyn different to Sid Station?

Thomas

My concept has a different aim than the SIDstation’s. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to see the SIDstation work. That’s why I’m actually not able to compare. And since my SIDsyn is not finished yet…

Neil

Can you give our readers an estimated launch date?

Thomas

I hope to be done with the beta-testing at the end of the year, so I can start offering the first SIDsyns then.

Neil

How long has SIDsyn been in development?

Thomas

Since February 2000 (interrupted by longer breaks)

Neil

What will SIDsyn retail at?

Thomas

Hmmmmm??? Very cheap though!!!

Neil

What are your hopes for SIDsyn?

Thomas

To develop a synthesiser giving joy to many people!!!

Neil

What future upgrades will there be for SIDsyn?

Thomas

I need to finish one first, then I will start thinking about further extensions.

Neil

What c64 composers did you like?

Thomas

I especially liked the sound of Chris Huelsbeck.

Neil

What c64 sids did you like?

Thomas

Madness, X-Out highscore, Maze-Man, Maniac-Mansion and Zak McCracken.

Neil

Which sid chip is SIDsyn based on?

Thomas

Both SID chips can be used (6581 and 8580)

Neil

Lastly What would you like to say to the scene?

Thomas

Greetings to all c64 loverz, DiiBii4.8/ET, RazFaz/BP and Micromusic.

Now the basis of SIDsyn sounds familar to SID Station. Which one will come out tops? Who knows you'll just have to wait until SIDsyn is released.

- Neil